Join the march against knife crime

‘We’ve had enough of young people dying on our streets,’ says mother of man who was stabbed to death

Friday, 14th July 2023 — By Izzy Rowley

Michelle McPhillips

Michelle McPhillips installs a bleed kit at her pub in Essex Road

THE mother of a knife crime victim is organising a march – and anybody who wants to see change is welcome to join it.

Michelle McPhilips, who runs the Green Man pub in Essex Road, said: “Come along to show that we’ve had enough of young people dying on our streets.

“This is people coming together from all walks of life to say that we’re all in agreement that young people’s lives should not be wasted.”

Her son Jonathan “JJ” McPhillips died when he was stabbed outside the Town Hall in Upper Street in 2017.

The march follows the deaths of two people on the same night – including 15-year-old Leonardo Reid – at the end of last month.

Ms McPhillips has installed a “bleed kit” at her pub and will be among demonstrators handing them out at the march on Saturday afternoon.

A bleed cabinet is installed on the street and house a kit that has everything someone needs to stem blood in an emergency. It can be accessed 24 hours a day.

Last week’s Tribune

The bleed cabinet is opened via a code that is given when you call 999.

Ms McPhillips said: “When my son got stabbed in the chest, if they had the chest plaster [that’s in a bleed kit], my son might not have lost so much oxygen and might have survived. The equipment in this package could save a life.”

Her son, a father-of-two form Barnsbury, died from a wound in his chest. Six years on, his killer remains free and has never faced a jury.

Ms McPhillips said: “You only get six minutes when you’re bleeding out, so it’s really important that people know where there’s a bleed kit in the area. You don’t need medical training to use it because there are instructions inside that tell you what to do and what kind of bleed you’re dealing with.”

She added: “For shopkeepers, it means you’re taking responsibility for our area and we’re showing the public that we actually care. It’s not just about making money, it’s about showing we’re in the community and we care about the community.”

Ms McPhillips said that bleed kits have uses beyond knife crime.

Thousands turned out for march after Ben Kinsella’s death in 2008

“If someone was having a heart attack, you would use the defibrillator, and this is the same sort of thing,” she said.

“If an old lady gets knocked over by a car, or someone gets knocked off a bicycle, or just simply somebody is at work and cuts themselves – those are all times when you might need a bleed kit. It’s just like a first-aid kit but it’s specialised in one department of first aid.

“It’s not about saying that there’s lots of knife crime happening in the area, it’s about everyone taking responsibility to protect life.”

Saturday’s march will run from Hackney Wick to Essex Road and people can join at any stage along the way.

Murder squad detectives are still asking people with any information on the double murder in Elthorne Road in Archway on June 29 to come forward to help their investigation.

Leonardo died at the scene after being stabbed in the chest, while a 23-year-old man, named on Friday as Klevi Shekaj, died later in hospital.

A third man survived the attack and is expected to make a recovery.

The murders happened on the 15th anniversary of the death of teenager Ben Kinsella in 2008, which led to thousands marching through the streets of Islington.

The ‘Enough is Enough’ march is tomorrow (Saturday July 15), starting in Bradstock Road, Hackney, at 12pm and finishing in Essex Road at 2.30pm.

Murder charges

Leonardo Reid died after being stabbed on June 29

TWO men have been charged with the double murder in Archway at the end of last month.

Abel Chunda, 27, and Jason Furtardo, 26, have been remanded in custody after making initial court appearances last week. They are accused of killing Leonardo Reid, 15, and Klevi Shekaj, 23, in the Elthorne Road stabbings on June 29.

They are also charged with the attempted murder of a man in his 20s who has survived being stabbed, and possession of an offensive weapon.

The next hearing in the process is not due to take place until September.

A 46-year-old man arrested early in the investigation has been realised with no further action being taken.

Police said anyone who has information on the stabbings that could help detectives should call 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related Articles